DRIVERS are being warned of closures along the M5 in Gloucestershire while extensive refurbishment work is completed on two busy bridges along the motorway. 

The bridges on the M5 at junctions 11A exit slip (Roman Villa and Pitmill) - known as the Brockworth Interchange - are over 50 years old and maintenance work is needed. 

Work includes waterproofing, surfacing, expansion joints and repairs to the concrete. 

Meanwhile, resurfacing work is also due to take place on the M5 junction 11A exit slip. 

The full project which includes overnight closures and temporary traffic lights is due to last from today, Wednesday, September 4 before Christmas 2023. 

Highway chiefs say they have planned the refurbishment to avoid the peak summer season and will be completed ahead of Christmas.

Mark Fitzgerald, project manager for National Highways, said: “We appreciate roadworks can be frustrating, but we need to carry out this work to ensure the long-term integrity of the bridges and that they are fit for the future.

“We appreciate this is a busy area, and there’s never a good time to carry out roadworks. 

“We’re delivering these improvements as a package so we can share resources and cut down on the time we’ll be working on the road. 

“Please accept our apologies in advance for any disruption which may be caused. We’ll make every effort to ensure the impact is kept to a minimum.”

M5 junction 11 to 12 resurfacing work:

Work will take place overnight Monday to Friday and is due to last from September 4 to October 10 2023

  • September 4 to September 19 – M5 southbound J11 to J11a, overnight, Monday to Friday, plus Saturday 9 September. Lane closures including slip closures at J11a from 8pm to 6am. 
  • September 18 to September 30 – M5 northbound J12 to J11a, overnight, Monday to Friday. Lane closures including off on closures and slip closures and J12. 
  • September 26 to October 10 – M5 southbound J11a to J12, overnight, Monday to Friday. Lane closures from 7:30pm to 6am. 

Junction 11A northbound exit slip 

Work is due to take place from September 17 to before Christmas 2023 

The exit slip will be fully closed for the duration of the work.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place on Churchdown Lane for 2 weeks starting from October 2 

Diversions include: 

  • Eastbound - traffic wishing to travel eastbound on the A417 and access Gloucester Business Park should continue north on the M5, exit at junction 11 and use Golden Valley interchange to travel south to junction 11A, to rejoin the A417 at Brockworth interchange roundabout.
  • Westbound – traffic wishing to travel westbound to Gloucester should continue north exit at junction 11 Golden Valley, join the A46 westbound, then take the A417 southbound to Barnett Way roundabout.